News release details

Special activities for the whole family from December 19 to January 3

Winnipeg –

Winnipeg – December 17, 2015 – Visitors are invited to fill their holiday season with thoughts of peace and goodwill by exploring the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR). The Museum will be open every day, including Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays (but closed December 25).

Special activities for the whole family are offered every day from December 19 to January 3. Enjoy performances of "The Gift" (based on O. Henry's classic story "The Gift of the Magi"), make a human rights new year's resolution, craft a snowman from recycled material or listen to Winnipeg's own "Little Drummer Boy" Sean Quigley perform beneath the glass cloud. See the full schedule below.

Embrace the spirit of the holidays by learning more about human rights – and how people around the world have worked to defend them. Our galleries are full of exhibitions with inspiring stories. The Museum has added extra guided tours each day. "Explore the Galleries" tours visitors through human rights stories and exhibits, while "Discover the Building" shows off Antoine Predock's stunning architecture.

The Museum's Boutique is full of last‐minute gift ideas, including fair‐trade products from all over the world, books about human rights and branded museum merchandise. ERA Bistro offers warm and delicious food and drink specials – a great place to gather with friends and family for holiday cheer.

The holiday period is also the last chance to see XOXO: An Exhibit About Love and Forgiveness. This vividly colourful play‐based exhibition for children and families includes hands‐on activities and crafts to help children and families express their feelings. It runs until January 3 in the Level One gallery.

After the holidays, the Museum will be closed January 4 through 11 for its annual maintenance week.

Holiday season schedule of programs and events at the CMHR:

Winnipeg's Little Drummer Boy

December 27 and January 3, 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Stuart Clark Garden of Contemplation
Remember the Winnipeg teen who wowed the world with his "Little Drummer Boy" video in 2011, earning over three million views? Musician Sean Quigley and his band "Bold as Lions" will be here with music that will keep you in a festive mood.

Drama performance: "The Gift"

December 19, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

XOXO exhibition — Level 1 GalleryJoin us for this family‐friendly theatrical production, based on O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi". The play uses physical theatre, masks and improvisation to explore expressions of love and the concept of gift‐giving.

Human rights resolutions

Every day except December 24, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Approx. 15‐minute activity.)
In gallery
Write down a human rights resolution for the new year and commit to making change happen. Once you've filled out your card, share it on our Level 7 "Imagine Wall" or post it on social media with #VisitCMHR.

Digital time capsule

Every day except December 24, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Approx. 15‐minute activity.)
In gallery
Share a human rights memory from 2015. Have your message recorded to be shared in the future, and see what others remember from the past year.

Mask making

December 19, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Approx. 15‐minute activity.)
XOXO exhibition — Level 1 Gallery
Masks can hide our emotions or help us share them with the world. In this activity, you'll learn how to create your own mask to express how you feel.

Spirit Panels

Every day except December 24, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Approx. 15‐minute activity.)
In gallery
Create your own artistic Spirit Panel, exploring rights and responsibilities important to you. The "Indigenous Perspectives" gallery is full of inspiring ideas.

Building Friendship workshop

December 19 and 23, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Approx. 15‐minute activity.)

XOXO exhibition — Level 1 GalleryWorking in small groups, come together to make your own "snowman" out of recycled materials. Discover how enjoying the right to play can also develop teamwork and cooperation skills.

Kids' yoga

December 20, 22 and 27, 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
XOXO exhibition — Level 1 Gallery
Enjoy this introduction to yoga and stretching as a family. Learning about our abilities and gaining a sense of self are important building blocks to understanding dignity and worth. Bring a mat or borrow one from us.

Guided tours of the galleries and the architecture

Every day, 60 minutes in duration

Main ticketing desk

"Explore the Galleries"is offered in English at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and in French at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
On December 24, there will be one tour only, in English and French at 10:30 a.m.
"Discover the Building" is offered in English at 11 a.m. and in English or French at 1 p.m. No tour on December 24.

Find the perfect gift

Museum Boutique

Open every day, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays
With a diverse selection of ethically sourced gifts and custom‐branded products, the Boutique will keep you inspired for your holiday gift‐giving!

Holiday warmth and cheer

ERA Bistro

Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays (until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Enjoy a delicious break in ERA Bistro, the ideal place to gather with friends for a quick snack or full meal. Reservations recommended.